Abkhaz Media

For a small state officially unrecognized by the international community, the de facto republic of Abkhazia has a surprisingly diverse range of media. The state funds a television and radio station, a news agency as well as a newspaper. Of the independent media, Abkhaz can choose from three newspapers, a television and a radio station. Local NGOs and political parties also publish newspapers and magazines.

The European Commission has allocated 39,000 euros ($51,500) to the Abkhaz NGO Sukhum Media Club to support free and independent media in Abkhazia.

"The EU was the first organization to sponsor media projects in Abkhazia, irrespective of what was happening in Georgia," said Manana Gurgulia, director of the Sukhum Media Club. "It's not a tremendous amount of money, but it enables us to determine which areas of the media we can work with and help."

The breakaway region of Abkhazia lies in the northwest of Georgia along the Black Sea coast. Seeking independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Abkhaz and Georgian forces fought a bloody war between 1992-1993. The fighting forced some 250,000 ethnic Georgians to flee and most are still unable to return to their homes. Today, economic infrastructure is weak and many Abkhaz towns still bear the scars of war.

Changing communication between the government and media

The Sukhum Media Club wants to be the catalyst that binds Abkhazia's small media community together. It houses a small library, a meeting area and two computer workstations with Internet access. According to Gurgulia, the Club is using EU funds to host monthly meetings between journalists, politicians, activists and international guest speakers.

"More often than not, press conferences are conducted by the government," Gurgulia said. "But in this case, we invite the journalists and government representatives. These conferences often turn into a dialogue -- a conversation between journalists and members of government."

Many Abkhaz journalists have found these meetings constructive in changing the attitude of the de facto government towards the media, such as Rosita German, who writes for the newspaper Nuzhnaia.

"I think it's very important," said German, who also presents a weekly roundup of Abkhaz current affairs on Radio Soma, an independent radio station in Sukhumi. "There are cases when politicians refuse to meet journalists from independent media. Having the Media Club as a mediator for these meetings makes it easier for journalists."

Zourab Agom, the evening news editor of Abkhaz state television AGTRK, said he agreed with German that there was a problem of government officials favoring state media and blocking access to independent journalists.

"Independent journalists face obstacles," Agom said. "When something urgent happens, officials speak to state TV and often do not talk to newspapers or other sources of media."

Boosting journalists' pride in their work

Overwhelmingly, in both print and broadcast media, Russian is the language used -- and this isn't surprising. In modern day Abkhazia, the deep influence of neighboring Russia is everywhere.

Russian peacekeepers patrol the border with Georgia, Russian rubles are the currency and most Abkhaz have a Russian passport. For many young Abkhaz journalists, moving to Russia for work is also an attractive option.

To improve the skills of young Abkhaz journalists, the Sukhum Media Club is using EU grant funds to run training seminars.

Veteran Abkhaz journalist Nadezhda Venediktova, one of the trainers, said she believed the seminars instilled students with a more robust approach to journalism -- something vital in the absence of strong professional role models.

"We have a very small country, which means our media is unable to pay high salaries and journalists are unable to specialize," Venediktova said. "Editors do not expect young journalists to raise their experience or qualifications. The notion of pride in your work is also lacking."

Following the seminars, young journalists are encouraged to contribute to the Sukhum Media Club's quarterly magazine Abkhaz Journalist -- published with the help of the EU. The club is now working to produce a journalism handbook and lobbying politicians to adopt freedom of information laws.

There is little doubt that the diplomatic deadlock to resolve the conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia is far from over. But 14 years on, the progress made towards supporting a free and independent media in Abkhazia will at least allow its people to stay informed about their future.